OT: Canada v. Russia

Submitted by PitchAndCatch on

Save the snarky 'who cares about hockey' commentary. Even if you do not like hockey, this is the game to watch. These teams were arguably the two heaviest favorites for gold going in, but since the US beat Canada, one of them will not be on the podium.

Canada is carrying the weight of the country on their shoulders, and the arena is sure to be absolutely electric. The game features the best players in the world, including Malkin, Crosby, Ovechkin, Kovalchuk, Semin, Iginla, and the Wings' very own Pavel Datsyuk. Not to mention, Steve Yzerman and Mike Babcock are the figureheads of this Canadian hockey team.

7:30ET. Tune in. If not for the hockey, for the chance to potentially see an entire nation collapse live on TV if Canada loses. They've been waiting a very long time for this.

Let's hear some predictions.

I am going against my gut and will say the Russians pull it out 4-3, with Ovechkin and Datsyuk having excellent games.

Seth9

February 24th, 2010 at 8:00 PM ^

Canada has played very well, to be sure, but Russia has been incredibly sloppy with the puck, blowing opportunities and turning the puck over way too much (hence goal number 3).

DingleberryFinn.

February 24th, 2010 at 8:17 PM ^

They play as individuals at times. Down 3-1 Malkin tried to make something happen by himself, and he paid the price. Russia HAS been sloppy, but Canada is taking it to them. Looks like Canada took a page out of the Americans gameplan, and its working. Our forecheck/backchecking is unbelievable tonight. Hope we can keep it up for the next two peiods.

Blue in Yarmouth

February 25th, 2010 at 7:53 AM ^

Yeah, we have taken some heat over the past week and a half haven't we Clarkie. One thing that has bothered me about many of the comments is people who obviously know NOTHING about hockey saying Ovechkin is BY FAR the best player in the world and Crosby isn't even in the top few.

The knowledge that they really don't know what they are talking about gives me some solice, but it still irritates me. I played hockey my whole life and at a high level as well (CHL) and know how to evaulate talent. Every great hockey mind on the planet will tell you that there are 2 players in the world that are head and shoulders above the rest and they are Crosby and Ovechkin. Most won't say who they think is better because it is too hard to judge. The fact that they are completely different players makes it almost impossible to say one is better than the other.

Bottom line is Crosby is one of the 2 best players in the world, like it or not.

bronxblue

February 24th, 2010 at 9:23 PM ^

Not really impressed by Russia so far - some good scores, but that defense really let them down in the first period. Looks like Canada is turning it on at the right time for a rematch with the US.

clarkiefromcanada

February 24th, 2010 at 9:31 PM ^

maybe Canada is just better.

We're pretty great when our team doesn't run into a goalie with a once in a lifetime performance. People shouldn't forget that this team outchanced the US by a wide margin and outshot them by a similarly wide margin.

Edit: Ovechkin just served the penalty for the Russians; such a complete player.

FreetheFabFive

February 24th, 2010 at 9:48 PM ^

Emerick and Olczyk are two of the worst in the biz. Boyle's hit was more dangerous than Semin's. Boyle got caught with his head down, he deserved to get nailed.

I actually liked Boyle too, but what he did was a complete bitch move as far as I'm concerned. He's up there with the Getzlaf's and Perry's of the world now. Boyle's lucky Semin wasn't seriously injured off that or else he'd be getting some Bertuzzi treatment right about now.

Blue in Yarmouth

February 25th, 2010 at 8:00 AM ^

You are right about the hit on Boyle, there was nothing wrong with that. When comparing penalties that could have been called though, that makes up for the 4 times Russia got caught with too many men on the ice and didn't get called.

Also, Boyles hit on Semin was far from dangerous. If you know anything about hockey you know that kind of stuff happens all the time. Finally, don't bring shit up about Bertuzzi because if you are one of those morans in the camp of Bertuzzi should have been banned for life, you prove that your knowledge of hockey is absolute zero.

rick55

February 24th, 2010 at 9:44 PM ^

you're an unlikeable, goonish team, and with the exception of your head coach, have no redeeming qualities. It will be fun beating your asses again for the gold medal.

Love, USA

clarkiefromcanada

February 24th, 2010 at 9:54 PM ^

I am sure that as an American that team would look very, very unlikeable. Very scary also. You might just want to hope you get to the gold medal game. At that point you can pray your goaltender keeps you in it; just like last time.

You saw what that team did to the great Ovechkin tonight; a solid -2. Oh, and how did Datsyuk look tonight, Wings fan?